TWO local Aboriginal students are one step closer to their dream careers after winning a scholarship in celebration of Reconciliation Week.
Glossop High School year 11 students Sebastian Mapley and Toby Kassulke were awarded the Dame Roma Mitchell Scholarship recently.
The $2000 scholarship assists Aboriginal students in their year 11 and 12 studies, supporting their SACE attainment and preparing them to pursue their educational and professional goals following school.
The award complements the State Government’s Aboriginal Education Strategy, which aims to increase outcomes for Aboriginal students by supporting them to be proud and learners from birth, in school and beyond.
Sebastian said the award would be an “incredible” financial aid to start university with.
“I really want to go to uni but I know it’s going to be expensive,” he said.
“The $2000 reward has been a blessing, as it’ll help with accommodation and essential supplies – like books, electronics and stationary.
“I’m hoping to study engineering, and for that I’ll need to buy a graphics calculator, which’ll cost a bit.”
Sebastian said he would be the first in his family to attend university if all went well.
“I’ll be the first Mapley at uni and I know that it’ll make my family proud,” he said.
“I’m currently studying chemistry and physics and it’s a bit tricky, but knowing now that I have the stability to get me started at uni, it makes me want to work harder.”
Toby, who wants to study an art-based degree, said he was “grateful” for the opportunity.
“Wanting to go to uni has been important to me because I want to be able to be successful in life and get a great job,” he said.
“I know that with a degree, it will broaden my options and allow me to do anything.”
Glossop High School’s Aboriginal education teacher David Binney said he was “proud” of his students.
“The Dame Roma Mitchell Scholarship is a well-recognised award statewide and for the boys to receive it is incredible,” he said.
“Only 10 people in South Australia receive it and two of them came from Glossop High.
“The scholarship is a set-up for great success and I know the boys will go far in life.”
The students thanked Mr Binney for his support throughout the process.